Obituary of Herbert Arthur Suter

Herbert Arthur Suter was born in Edson, Alberta on March 28, 1946.  When he was 2 years old his family moved to Port Alberni.  In 1966 he met the love of his life, Anne.  They were later married in Fort St John, March 16, 1968 and settled in Port Alberni.  The next few years saw the births of their four girls. Herb started his electrical apprenticeship in Port Alberni with MacMillan Bloedel in 1970.  In 1983 Herb, Anne and the girls moved to Quesnel where he continued his electrical career with Weldwood.

Herb’s passion was God, his wife and his girls.  If there was a bible study to be led – he led it, often two or three a week.  He loved a great Biblical debate.  He was a very knowledgeable man, if he didn’t know the answer to something, he would spend many hours researching it – followed by another debate.  He was greatly respected by his peers, who enjoyed his gentle spirit and teasing manner.  The Monday morning church coffee group was a highlight of his week. He would cut his holidays short or drive 2 hours back from the lake, to make the coffee meeting.

Family gatherings were always a highlight.  He looked forward to a grand meal where stomachs were filled, then topped off with pies and cheesecakes, he was usually first in line.  He enjoyed the laughter while sitting back and watching the shenanigans take place, where he was often the instigator.  He loved making people think.  His goal was to teach his family to understand and defend their own point of view.

His grandchildren brought joy to him.  Camping, hunting, fishing, playing chess or puttering around the backyard having fun with them, all the while teaching them life skills.  Herb taught his grandsons early in life how to mechanic.  He had them, as young as seven, changing tires on the car while he supervised from a lawn chair.  For a summer project he had the young boys building tree forts in the backyard, complete with a skywalk 10 ft in the air from tree to tree.  If the boys needed more nails or lumber a trip to the store ensued.  He also never hesitated to have his fingers and toes painted by a great grandchild or be a model for their toy jewelry.  Herb was the center of his family’s life, and he enjoyed every minute of it.

In his late 60’s after retirement, Herb decided to help at the farm.  He learned how to drive tractor and helped with the haying.  He worked the cattle as though he had always been a farmer.  Getting kicked by a steer, or tossed in the air by a miserable cow didn’t slow him down.  Each fall season he was back to help sort them again.  In his early 70’s Herb learned to drive the D6 Cat on the farm.  He spent many weeks slowly clearing land or making roads through the pastures with a huge grin on his face.  He was like a kid with a Tonka Toy.  He even got Mom out there as his “Swamper” setting chains when he gathered firewood with the Cat for the coming winter.

Then with his grandson Carlos, they formed a company called ‘Bert & Sons’.  Herb was the “Logistic co-ordinator”, and Carlos was the “President”.  They spent many hours together logging, clearing land, building and concrete work.  Each new task required a new division of the company.  Last count was about 50 divisions.  They had more fun sitting around the kitchen table with a coffee discussing their company than actually doing the work.

Dad was so excited to meet God, he never feared death.  For the past number of years, the running bet between Dad and Mom was to see who would survive the night. They would joke each morning that no one won the bet.  Finally, after many years of no one winning ‘the bet’, Mom Won. But now we realize that Dad was the winner, He won the Grand Prize. He is now in Heaven sitting with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ surrounded by loved ones, especially his little granddaughter Danielle who’s been waiting for him since 1999. Even though our hearts are heavy right now, we rejoice knowing that one day all of us will be with him again. 

Herb is survived by his loving wife Anne of 55 years who he affectionately called “Mrs. Who”. His four girls: Barb (Al), Kathy (Ken), Linda (Dave) and Brenda (Mike). His grandchildren: Ariel (Josh), Kenzo (Kaya), Nolan (Hannah), Miyoko (Josh), Matthew, Sergio, Diego and Carlos. His great grandchildren: Kaydence, William, Adeline, Roselie, Olive, Keiko. His faithful companion Page. And his sister Beth (Pete).